Delay in take off

THE US-based airline Inter Island Airways says it intends to launch operations in the country in November.

According to information on the airline's website, recruitment of personnel and the launch of the carrier's online booking site is also scheduled for November.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji says work on the airline's Air Operating Certificate has not progressed for some time.

"There has been no progress," said acting CEO Ajay Kumar.

"It is entirely beyond our control.

"They had provided some information and then they stalled.

"If they provide all the mandatory details and information we require then we will issue an AOC.

"The onus is on them to provide what we need for certification."

Attempts to obtain comments from Inter Island Airways CEO Barney Sene have proven futile for some time now.

The airline had initially announced its intention to begin services in March last year but this later rescheduled to July.

In its latest website posting, the airline said pending completion of its AOC, it intended to begin service in November.

The carrier was granted 11 licences by the Air Traffic Licensing Board in 2012.

At the time, the CEO — Mr Sene — said the domestic carrier would introduce 19-seater Beech 1900D aircraft to service routes between Suva and Nadi to Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Rotuma and Kadavu while Dornier 228 19-seater would service routes between Suva and Nadi to Savusavu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Levuka, Gau and Koro and 30-seater Dornier 328 aircraft would service routes between Suva and Nadi to Labasa and Rotuma.

The website says it now intends to only operate Dornier 228 aircraft in Fiji.